Question Number: 31165

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/10/2017

RE: Youth Under 17

James of Motherwell, North lanarkshire Scotland asks...

A player having made a challenge and is on his knees on the ground, the ball is loose and in the attempt to get control of the ball it ends up at player on his knees who instinctively clamps the ball between his knees. There are opposing players close by and obviously it would be dangerous to attempt to win the ball back, is this not an indirect free kick to the team who want to win the ball back?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi James
As described this could be playing in a dangerous manner (to the player himself) which has an indirect free kick restart. Factors that needs to be considered are
1. How close are the opponents
2. Are the opponents in a position to make a play on the ball
3. How quickly the player can react by getting to his feet to continuing playing the ball.
The law is not to prevent skill or from playing the ball on the ground yet rtaher to ensure that opponents can play the ball fairly without risk to the player. Many times that risk is just not there or only there for a split second which does not impinge on play.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi James,
I agree with your assessment. As described this COULD very well be grounds for PIADM , a whistle stoppage with an INDFK awarded to the opposition.
As mentioned the opposition MUST be adversely affected and the player must arise and continue playing not hover on top for any extended period if there are opponents challenging.

I had a very interesting moment in a match between the visiting Mexican team and the German team they were playing when a young fellow on his butt clamped the ball between his ankles and somersaulted to take the ball away from the challenging opponent who was trying to foot spin it out from between his legs.

I initially though it was a viable move as the opponent was trying to challenge and the player on the ground was making a realistic effort to retain the ball in play. He was making an effort to get up off the ground trying to legally shield the ball as it is his right to do so given it was within playing distance. Except the player did not release the ball but covered it up by squatting over it , once the somersault was completed as there were now 2 opposition players in close quarters waiting for the release of the ball. I assessed they appeared to have refrained from kicking at the ball between the ankles in the air for fear of contact but I think like me they were a bit stunned at the unusual maneuver for the roll away takeaway of the ball! Although I did award an INDFK for PIADM I did compliment the quick thinking player saying if the other opponent was not there at the other end I might have let it slide! No one disputed the call and all was well.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi James, this does indeed sound a lot like the offence of playing in a dangerous manner (PIADM).

As per the description in the Laws, this is:

''any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to someone (including the player themself) and includes preventing a nearby opponent from playing the ball for fear of injury.''

In particular, the actions you describe would appear to fall within the second part of the definition, whereby a nearby opponent is being prevented from playing the ball for fear of injuring the player with the ball between his knees.

If you as a referee, decided that this offence had taken place, you would indeed award an indirect free kick to the opponents of the player on the ground.

Please note however that this does not mean (as is sometimes mistakenly thought) that it is illegal to play the ball while on the ground. If there are no opponents close by and/or being prevented from playing the ball by the actions of the player in question, there is no offence.